Massage device



April 22, 1941. J. E. BROWN 2,238,967

MASSAGE DEVICE Filed June 24, 1958 IN VENT OR.

MSK E BRDWN BY *m6-|714 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MASSAGE DEVICE Jack E. Brown, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Applicatien June 24, 1938, Serial No. 215,522

(Cl. 12S-63) Z Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in massage devices, one object of the invention being the provision of a device that is manually operated by the person upon which it is used, and which provides for the use in conjunction therewith of a removable and washable skin contacting cover, such as a bath towel, so that in addition to the massage effect produced, a drying and also a soft friction is effected upon the skin.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a washable massage device, which is inexpensive to manufacture, is easily operated, is durable and practical, and is especially adapted for use with any type of towel in the home before or after bathing.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device minus the cover, taken from the massage side thereof.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the device folded and covered with a bath towel, a portion being broken away to show the device per se.

Figure 3 is a section takenon line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a section taken o-n line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I0 designates a strip of textile material, shaped to have the wide intermediate portion II, which constitutes the greater part thereof and the two tapered ends I2 and I3, respectively.

Carried in the extreme ends thereof, are the spring closed clips or open clamps I4, the purpose of which will presently appear.

Attached transversely of and upon both sides` of a longitudinal media line of the strip II), are two rows of tubes I5 and I6 respectively, each of which is composed of a portion of a hollow rubber tube, and they are so spaced as to give the desired massage action as the device is moved to and fro over the body. A single row may be used, where desired, but in order to give the best possible massage effect and have in reality a double massage device, the two rows are preferred and which is better for holding the towel and with two faces.

A bath towel Il, forms the cover for the device, and when it is desired to attach the same,

the towel is folded so that its longitudinal edges I8 are parallel or contacting upon the opposite side of the strip I I) to the massage tubes, and then the massage strip is folded upon itself longitudinally, until the edges of the towel are folded upon the inside. This then presents the opposite ends I9 and 20 of the towel around the ends of the folded strip I0, adjacent the reduced terminals, and to secure these ends of the towel in place so that the towel will be `securely attached to the massage device, the respective tapered ends. I2 and I3 are folded over and toward the body of the strip so that the respective clamps or clips can be gripped upon and around a portion of the ends of the towel, and thus clamp these portions of the towel rmly upon the massage device, and thus with the folded overportions of the tapered ends, constitute handles or hand grips for manipulating the device.

Where a single row of massage tubes are employed, the towel is merely rolled about the same, and then the ends secured as above noted.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawing, it is evident that with a device constructed as described. that a double faced massage device of a flexible nature with resilient massage members is produced, while with the towel covering, a desirable massage device for use after a bath is obtained.

It is possible and practicable to have the spring clips separate and secure the ends of the strip and the towel in place, while even the ends of the strip could be finished with U-shaped, tapered, or round in cross-section handles and have the clips therein to grip the towels ends, as in the tapered end style.

The massage tubes may also be placed within the towel, so that the towel may be folded over and encase them, so that in use, they do not come in direct contact with the skin of the user.

Many variations in shapes may be resorted to, it being essential however, that a foldable cover be provided for a massage member having oppositely disposed manipulating terminals.

Although the tubes are here shown as being riveted to the strip, it is apparent that any desired method of attaching may be employed.

In order that various sizes of bath towels may be used with `this device, the tapered or handle forming ends may be made adjustable by buckles or other means, so that they may be in the form of extensions, or in fact any method that will permit them to be extended to accommodate the varying lengths of towels.

Although the tubes shown, are both of the same weight and size, it is within the spirit cf the invention to have larger and heavier ones, that is stilfer, on one side than on the other, and those on one side may be closer together than those on the other side or row.

With the type clips or clamps as shown, various thicknesses of towels may be secured in place as the clamps permit of such adjustment, and the clips may be spring closed as set forth, or be locked by interconnecting ends or terminals, both types being in use in other lines today.

What is claimed, as new, is:

1. In a massage device, the combination cf a strip of iiexible material, two rows of massage abutments carried upon one face thereof, one upon each side ofthe medial'line of the strip, and a sheet of flexible material to form a cover for the rst strip having its longitudinal edges parallel and substantially abutting on the medial Y line of the rst strip, whereby when the first strip is folded longitudinally upon its medial line the abutting ends of the exial material are disposed between the folded portions of the rst strip.

2. In a massage device as claimed in claim l, wherein the rst strip is longer than the sheet and has its ends projected beyond the same to form handles, and means for attaching the ends of the second` sheet against displacement carried in the extreme terminals of the first strip.

JACK E. BROWN. 

